The Indian government has awarded Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan his first National Film Award after 33 years in the industry. The National Film Awards festival honors actors, filmmakers, and artists annually for outstanding contributions to Indian cinema.
Started in 1954, this prestigious award ceremony finally recognized Shahrukh Khan for his remarkable work. He received the Best Actor award alongside newcomer Vikrant Massey, who also won in the same category. Actress Rani Mukerji won Best Actress, while the Best Feature Film award went to Barahvi Fail.
The 71st National Film Awards 2025 honored 21 awards across 19 categories. Shahrukh Khan’s win marked a special moment since no other actor had received this award after such a long career in Bollywood. The ceremony also recognized films in regional languages like Telugu and Tamil.
Shahrukh Khan began his acting career in 1988 on Indian state television, with his first film Deewana releasing in 1992. He quickly gained fame and starred in seven films during his debut year, soon becoming Bollywood’s King.
Despite winning many private awards over the years, Shahrukh Khan had never received the government’s National Film Award until now. This recognition celebrates his enduring impact on Indian cinema.